• As a parent, I find that one of the greatest joys of celebrating Christmas with young children is the magic of Santa. I have my own fond memories of leaving a stalk of celery for my favorite reindeer (Blitzen, of course) and ensuring that my father put out the fire in our fireplace before he went to sleep (he always did). Now as the mother of two young girls, the unmistakable look of utter delight and joy in their eyes on Christmas morning is something you can’t wrap up and put a bow on; it’s a gift I savor each year. But if you find that your own children are less convinced about the existence of the Man in the Red Suit, maybe you could [&hellip

    Read More...

    My 5-year-old has been “trained” to know that once she’s finished sipping her drink, she needs to locate a proper resting place for it–or, as we grown-ups have come to know it as, a coaster. And as most of us know, it helps when products are kid-friendly and eye-catching, while conveniently disguised as a clever product that gets the job done. That’s why I really like the Coasters for Kids, a line of whimsically designed drink “resters” that look so cool, kids won’t even realize they’re practicing good manners while using them. Each coaster features a beverage of choice–milk, orange juice and more–and identifies said drink with a fun, boldfaced graphic. Using them can turn into a game–hey, isn’t everything you want your kid to [&hellip

    Read More...

    Yup, I mean what I say; the big guy in the red suit really does it for me. So when MAM came out with its line of Holiday Pacifiers, I couldn’t resist. If someone had shown me these five years ago, I would have scoffed at the very notion of a pacifier (not my kid!). And yet when my now-18 month old was a mere babe and we couldn’t quiet her constant crying jags, a “binky” (not my favorite word) was the only thing that seemed to calm her–and us. These seasonal suckers are quite festive-looking, available in snowman, doves, reindeer and Santa designs. MAM has a reputation for well-designed feeding supplies and these BPA-free pacifiers are no exception. They are orthodontic in shape and [&hellip

    Read More...

    No, I’m not referring to what responsible parents should be practicing as the start of the holiday party season kicks off. I’m talking about safeguarding your baby from drinking out of bottles that aren’t environmentally sound. BornFree has a complete line of bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers and other feeding supplies that are BPA- and PVC-free. If you are making the choice to rid your bottle racks and cabinets of any potentially harmful plastics, switching to a line that is chemical-free is a wise move. BornFree’s bottles are available in both plastic and glass, for all you retro mommies out there. The bottles also tout a specially designed venting system, designed to reduce colic and inner ear discomfort. Savings alert: If you order online today, you [&hellip

    Read More...

    A-choo! In my last post, we covered a product that provides some relief for babies suffering from coughs and colds. This time, the ever-popular hand sanitizer is this season’s best friend in keeping kids and adults healthy when hand-washing isn’t possible. You know how it goes: your preschooler is ready for her snack, but her little hands have just been gripping shopping cart handles as though she were holding on for dear life. Rather than hand over the Goldfish right away, you grab some CleanWell hand sanitizer, apply them to her grubby little hands and voila, snack can be served! This line of hand sanitizing sprays, soaps and wipes come in travel sizes, so you can easily stash them in your purse or diaper bag. [&hellip

    Read More...

    My daughter’s kindergarten class has been racking up absentees lately, thanks to the start of cold and flu season. The last thing I want is for my 18-month-old to come down with a case of the sniffles. Heaven forbid she does, I want to be prepared that we have something on hand to give her a little relief. While I’m a fan of eucalyptus rubs that work their magic by opening up breathing passages, I don’t want to recall that medicinal smell from my own sick days as a child spent in bed with a rattling humidifier and mugs of chicken broth (remember those?). That particular scent can be a bit overpowering, especially for little noses. I like the fact that Bella B Little Bee [&hellip

    Read More...

    In light of the recent recall of Maclaren strollers, the company has issued an official statement to its customers. If you own one of these strollers, or know someone that does, be sure to contact the company to receive a hinge cover kit. Here is what Maclaren has to say to consumers: At Maclaren safety is at the heart of what we do because of the consumers we serve. It is with the youngest consumers in mind that we design our products with the utmost care and engineering, not only to provide a smooth ride but a safe one. We regret that children have been injured while using our product and we acknowledge that parents may be upset or even angry. That is of our [&hellip

    Read More...

    This entry marks what will be the first of several holiday gift write-ups, since we are (gasp!) fast approaching the start of the season. What I like about this particular suggestion is its universal appeal; from kids to grandparents, giving the gift of reading is one that never goes out of style and is right for any age. And if your gift list is like mine, it also includes babysitters, bus drivers and others who deserve to be recognized for their year-round kindness. If you are hard-pressed about what to give that will be actually be used, but that won’t make a gaping hole in your wallet, try BookSwim. Dubbed the Netflix of books, it’s a book rental service that lets you “borrow” books without [&hellip

    Read More...

    These days, it makes even more economic sense when you can find a product that extends its life cycle beyond a few months. And when you’re a mom who feels like she’s carrying around everything but the kitchen sink, a diaper bag that can outlive its intended purpose is a real find. Chelsea & Main has come with a line of diaper bags that, with a little ingenuity, can be used when you’re not toting baby necessities. I like the Metro Messenger style because–yes–even a dad can use it and not feel like all eyes are on his bag. The JetSetter tote (shown above) is another favorite since you can take out the changing pad when you’re not using it and fill the side bottle [&hellip

    Read More...

    It may be a little difficult to think swimwear when a cold November wind is blowing, but transporting my mind to sun and surf does help take the chill out of the impending winter. What doesn’t help my reverie is having to change my daughter’s diaper while at the beach. Forget the fact that she’s already covered in sand and sunscreen, which makes her squirmy enough. But the faster I can change this active toddler, the easier it is on all of us. SnapMe Swimwear is one of those “now, why didn’t I think it?” products that will have you stocking up on well in advance of beach season. Simply put, this line of girls’ bathing suits features two rows of snaps that enable you [&hellip

    Read More...